This Boy Caught a Merman

"This Boy Caught a Merman" (Japanese: この男子、人魚ひろいました。) is a Japanese original video animation (OVA) directed by Soubi Yamamoto, released on November 9, 2012. The story follows high school student Shima Kawauchi who, after losing his grandfather, falls into the ocean in grief and is rescued by a beautiful merman named Isaki. Isaki insists on staying with Shima until he recovers, and they begin living together. As time passes, their bond deepens, developing feelings that transcend both species and gender. This anime is known for its delicate emotional portrayals and beautiful visual style, exploring themes of loneliness, healing, and love that crosses boundaries. It is part of the "Kono Danshi" series and has garnered popularity for its unique world and character development, receiving high ratings on various anime platforms. The animation is approximately 28 minutes long and also available with English dub and subtitles for international audiences.